2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 24, SD-129

ARTICLE 24
LIQUID PENETRANT STANDARDS

STANDARD TEST METHOD FOR

SULFUR IN PETROLEUM PRODUCTS
(GENERAL BOMB METHOD)

SD-129

(Identical with ASTM D 129-00)

(This specification is available in SI Units only.)

1. Scope D 1552 Test Method for Sulfur in Petroleum Products

1.1 This test method covers the determination of sulfur
in petroleum products, including lubricating oils containing
additives, additive concentrates, and lubricating greases
that cannot be burned completely in a wick lamp. The test
method is applicable to any petroleum product sufficiently
low in volatility that it can be weighed accurately in an
open sample boat and containing at least 0.1% sulfur.
NOTE 1 — This test method is not applicable to samples containing
elements that give residues, other than barium sulfate, which are insoluble
in dilute hydrochloric acid and would interfere in the precipitation step.
These interfering elements include iron, aluminum, calcium, silicon, and
lead which are sometimes present in greases, lube oil additives, or additive
oils. Other acid insoluble materials that interfere are silica, molybdenum
disulfide, asbestos, mica, etc. The test method is not applicable to used
oils containing wear metals, and lead or silicates from contamination.
Samples that are excluded can be analyzed by Test Method D 1552.
1.2 This standard does not purport to address all of
the safety concerns, if any, associated with its use. It is
the responsibility of the user of this standard to establish
appropriate safety and health practices and determine the
applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. See 3.2
for specific precautionary directions incorporated in the
test method.
(High-Temperature Method)
D 6299 Practice for Applying Statistical Quality Assurance
Techniques to Evaluate Analytical Measurement System
Performance
E 144 Practice for Safe Use of Oxygen Combustion Bombs
3. Summary of Test Method
3.1 The sample is oxidized by combustion in a bomb
containing oxygen under pressure. The sulfur, as sulfate
in the bomb washings, is determined gravimetrically as
barium sulfate.
3.2 Warning — Strict adherence to all of the provi-
sions prescribed hereafter ensures against explosive rup-
ture of the bomb, or a blow-out, provided the bomb is of
proper design and construction and in good mechanical
condition. It is desirable, however, that the bomb be
enclosed in a shield of steel plate at least 13 mm thick,
or equivalent protection be provided against unforseeable
contingencies.

2. Referenced Documents 4. Apparatus and Materials

2.1 ASTM Standards: 4.1 Bomb, having a capacity of not less than 300 mL,
D 1193 Specification for Reagent Water so constructed that it will not leak during the test and that

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 ARTICLE 24, SD-129 2007 SECTION V
quantitative recovery of the liquids from the bomb may
be achieved readily. The inner surface of the bomb may
be made of stainless steel or any other material that will
not be affected by the combustion process or products.
Materials used in the bomb assembly, such as the head
gasket and lead-wire insulation, shall be resistant to heat
and chemical action, and shall not undergo any reaction
that will affect the sulfur content of the liquid in the bomb.
4.2 Sample Cup, platinum, 24 mm in outside diameter
at the bottom, 27 mm in outside diameter at the top, 12
mm in height outside, and weighing 10 to 11 g.
4.3 Firing Wire, platinum, No. 26 B & S gage, 0.41
mm (16 thou), 27 SWG, or equivalent. (Warning — The
switch in the ignition circuit shall be of a type which
remains open, except when held in closed position by the
operator.)
4.4 Ignition Circuit, capable of supplying sufficient cur-
rent to ignite the cotton wicking or nylon thread without
melting the wire. The current shall be drawn from a step-
down transformer or from a suitable battery.
4.5 Cotton Wicking or Nylon Sewing Thread, white.
5. Reagents and Materials
5.1 Purity of Reagents — Reagent grade chemicals shall
be used in all tests. Unless otherwise indicated, it is
intended that all reagents shall conform to the specifications
of the Committee on Analytical Reagents of the American
Chemical Society, where such specifications are available.
Other grades may be used, provided it is first ascertained
that the reagent is of sufficiently high purity to permit its
use without lessening the accuracy of the determination.
5.2 Purity of Water — Unless otherwise indicated, refer-
ences to water shall mean water as defined by Type II or
III of Specification D 1193.
5.3 Barium Chloride Solution (85 g/litre) — Dissolve
100 g of barium chloride dihydrate (BaCl2 W 2H2O) in
distilled water and dilute to 1 liter.
5.4 Bromine Water (saturated).
5.5 Hydrochloric Acid (sp gr 1.19) — Concentrated
hydrochloric acid (HCl).
5.6 Oxygen, free of combustible material and sulfur
compounds, available at a pressure of 41 kgf/cm2 (40 atm).
5.7 Sodium Carbonate Solution (50 g/litre) — Dissolve
135 g of sodium carbonate decahydrate (Na2CO3 W 10H2O)
or its equivalent weight in distilled water and dilute to
1 litre.
5.8 White Oil, USP, or Liquid Paraffin, BP, or equiv-
alent.
5.9 Quality Control (QC) Samples, preferably are por-
tions of one or more liquid petroleum materials that are
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stable and representative of the samples of interest. These
QC samples can be used to check the validity of the testing
process as described in Section 11.
6. Procedure
6.1 Preparation of Bomb and Sample — Cut a piece of
firing wire 100 mm in length. Coil the middle section
(about 20 mm) and attach the free ends to the terminals.
Arrange the coil so that it will be above and to one side
of the sample cup. Insert between two loops of the coil a
wisp of cotton or nylon thread of such length that one end
will extend into the sample cup. Place about 5 mL of
Na2CO3 solution in the bomb (Note 2) and rotate the bomb
in such a manner that the interior surface is moistened by
the solution. Introduce into the sample cup the quantities
of sample and white oil (Note 3 and Note 4) specified in
the following table, weighing the sample to the nearest 0.2
mg (when white oil is used, stir the mixture with a short
length of quartz rod and allow the rod to remain in the
sample cup during the combustion).
NOTE 2 — After repeated use of the bomb for sulfur determinations, a
film may be noticed on the inner surface. This dullness can be removed
by periodic polishing of the bomb. A satisfactory method for doing this
is to rotate the bomb in a lathe at about 300 rpm and polish the inside
surface with emery polishing papers Grit No. 2/0, or equivalent paper,
coated with a light machine oil to prevent cutting, and then with a paste
of grit-free chromic oxide and water. This procedure will remove all but
very deep pits and put a high polish on the surface. Before the bomb is
used it shall be washed with soap and water to remove oil or paste left
from the polishing operation.
6.1.1 Warning — Do not use more than 1.0 g total
of sample and white oil or other low sulfur combustible
material or more than 0.8 g if the IP 12 bomb is used.
Weight of Weight of
Sulfur Content, % Sample, g White Oil, g
5 or under 0.6 to 0.8 0.0
Over 5 0.3 to 0.4 0.3
to 0.4
NOTE 3 — Use of sample weights containing over 20 mg of chlorine
may cause corrosion of the bomb. To avoid this, it is recommended that
for samples containing over 2% chlorine, the sample weight be based on
the chlorine content as given in the following table:
Weight of Weight of
Chlorine Content, % Sample, g White Oil, g
2 to 5 0.4 0.4
Over 5 to 10 0.2 0.6
Over 10 to 20 0.1 0.7
Over 20 to 50 0.05 0.7
NOTE 4 — If the sample is not readily miscible with white oil, some
other low sulfur combustible diluent may be substituted. However, the
combined weight of sample and nonvolatile diluent shall not exceed 1.0
g or more than 0.8 g if the IP 12 bomb is used.
6.2 Addition of Oxygen — Place the sample cup in posi-
tion and arrange the cotton wisp or nylon thread so that
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 2007 SECTION V ARTICLE 24, SD-129

the end dips into the sample. Assemble the bomb and glass and continue boiling slowly until the solution has
tighten the cover securely. (Warning — Do not add oxygen evaporated to a volume approximately 75 mL as indicated
or ignite the sample if the bomb has been jarred, dropped, by a mark on the beaker. Remove the beaker from the hot
or tilted.) Admit oxygen slowly (to avoid blowing the oil plate (or other source of heat) and allow it to cool for 1
from the cup) until a pressure is reached as indicated in hr before filtering. Filter the supernatant liquid through
the following table: an ashless, quantitative filter paper (Note 5). Wash the
Capacity of Minimum Gage Maximum Gage precipitate with water, first by decantation and then on
Bomb, ml Pressure,A kgf/cm2 (atm) Pressure,A kgf/cm2 (atm) the filter, until free from chloride. Transfer the paper and
300 to 350 39 (38) 41 (40) precipitate to a weighed crucible and dry (Note 6) at a low
350 to 400 36 (35) 38 (37) heat until the moisture has evaporated. Char the paper
400 to 450 31 (30) 33 (32) completely without igniting it, and finally ignite at a bright
450 to 500 28 (27) 30 (29) red heat until the residue is white in color. After ignition
A
The minimum pressures are specified to provide sufficient oxygen for
is complete, allow the crucible to cool at room temperature,
complete combustion and the maximum pressures represent a safety and weigh.
requirement.
NOTE 5 — A weighed porcelain filter crucible (Selas type) of 5 to 9-
6.3 Combustion — Immerse the bomb in a cold distilled- ␮m porosity may be used in place of the filter paper. In this case the
water bath. Connect the terminals to the open electrical precipitate is washed free of chloride and then dried to constant weight
at 500 ±25°C.
circuit. Close the circuit to ignite the sample. (Warning —
Do not go near the bomb until at least 20 s after firing.) NOTE 6 — A satisfactory means of drying, charring, and igniting the
paper and precipitate is to place the crucible containing the wet filter
Remove the bomb from the bath after immersion for at paper in a cold electric muffle furnace and to turn on the current. Drying,
least 10 min. Release the pressure at a slow, uniform rate charring, and ignition usually will occur at the desired rate.
such that the operation requires not less than 1 min. Open
the bomb and examine the contents. If traces of unburned 6.6 Blank — Make a blank determination whenever new
oil or sooty deposits are found, discard the determination reagents, white oil, or other low-sulfur combustible mate-
and thoroughly clean the bomb before again putting it in rial are used. When running a blank on white oil, use 0.3
use (Note 2). to 0.4 g and follow the normal procedure.

6.4 Collection of Sulfur Solution — Rinse the interior

of the bomb, the oil cup, and the inner surface of the bomb 7. Calculation
cover with a fine jet of water, and collect the washings in 7.1 Calculate the sulfur content of the sample as
a 600-mL beaker having a mark to indicate 75 mL. Remove follows:
any precipitate in the bomb by means of a rubber police-
man. Wash the base of the terminals until the washings Sulfur, weight percent p (P − B)13.73/W (1)
are neutral to the indicator methyl red. Add 10 mL of
saturated bromine water to the washings in the beaker. where:
(The volume of the washings is normally in excess of 300 P p grams of BaSO4 obtained from sample,
mL.) Place the sample cup in a 50-mL beaker. Add 5 mL B p grams of BaSO4 obtained from blank, and
of saturated bromine water, 2 mL of HCl, and enough W p grams of sample used.
water just to cover the cup. Heat the contents of the beaker
to just below its boiling point for 3 or 4 min and add to
the beaker containing the bomb washings. Wash the sample 8. Report
cup and the 50-mL beaker thoroughly with water. Remove 8.1 Report the results of the test to the nearest 0.01%.
any precipitate in the cup by means of a rubber policeman.
Add the washings from the cup and the 50-mL beaker,
and the precipitate, if any, to the bomb washings in the 9. Precision and Bias
600-mL beaker. Do not filter any of the washings, since 9.1 The precision of this test is not known to have been
filtering would remove any sulfur present as insoluble obtained in accordance with currently accepted guidelines
material. (for example in Research Report D02-1007).
6.5 Determination of Sulfur — Evaporate the combined 9.1.1 Repeatability — The difference between two
washings to 200 mL on a hot plate or other source of heat. test results, obtained by the same operator with the same
Adjust the heat to maintain slow boiling of the solution apparatus under constant operating conditions on identical
and add 10 mL of the BaCl2 solution, either in a fine stream test material, would in the long run, in the normal and
or dropwise. Stir the solution during the addition and for correct operation of the test method, exceed the following
2 min thereafter. Cover the beaker with a fluted watch values only in one case in twenty:

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 ARTICLE 24, SD-129 2007 SECTION V

9.1.2 Reproducibility — The difference between two where x is the mean of duplicate test results.
single and independent results obtained by different opera- (b) These precision values were obtained in 1960 by statistical exami-
nation of interlaboratory test results. No limits have been established for
tors working in different laboratories on identical test mate- additive concentrates.
rial would, in the long run, in the normal and correct
operation of the test method, exceed the following values 9.2 Bias — Results obtained in one laboratory by Test
only in one case in twenty: Method D 129 on NIST Standard Reference Material Nos.
Sulfur, 1620A, 1621C, and 1662B were found to be 0.05 mass %
Weight % Repeatability Reproducibility higher than the accepted reference values.
0.1 to 0.5 0.04 0.05
0.5 to 1.0 0.06 0.09
1.0 to 1.5 0.08 0.15 10. Quality Control
1.5 to 2.0 0.12 0.25
2.0 to 5.0 0.18 0.27 10.1 Confirm the performance of the instrument or the
test procedure by analyzing a QC sample (see 6.9).
NOTE 7 — The precision shown in the above table does not apply to 10.1.1 When QC/Quality Assurance (QA) protocols
samples containing over 2% chlorine because an added restriction on the
amount of sample which can be ignited is imposed.
are already established in the testing facility, these may be
used to confirm the reliability of the test result.
NOTE 8 — This test method has been cooperatively tested only in the
range of 0.1 to 5.0% sulfur.
10.1.2 When there is no QC/QA protocol established
in the testing facility, Appendix X1 can be used as the
NOTE 9 — The following information on the precision of this method QC/QA system.
has been developed by the Institute of Petroleum (London):
(a) Results of duplicate tests should not differ by more than the follow-
ing amounts:
Repeatability Reproducibility 11. Keywords
0.016 x + 0.06 0.037 x + 0.13 11.1 bomb; sulfur

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 2007 SECTION V
APPENDIX
(Nonmandatory Information)
X1. QUALITY CONTROL
X1.1 Confirm the performance of the instrument or the
test procedure by analyzing a quality control (QC) sample.
X1.2 Prior to monitoring the measurement process, the
user of the test method needs to determine the average
value and control limits of the QC sample (see Practice D
6299 and MNL 7).
X1.3 Record the QC results and analyze by control
charts or other statistically equivalent techniques to ascer-
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tain the statistical control status of the total testing process
(see Practice D 6299 and MNL 7). Any out-of-control data
should trigger investigation for root cause(s).
X1.4 In the absence of explicit requirements given in
the test method, the frequency of QC testing is dependent
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ARTICLE 24, SD-129
on the criticality of the quality being measured, the demon-
strated stability of the testing process, and customer
requirements. Generally, a QC sample is analyzed each
testing day with routine samples. The QC frequency should
be increased if a large number of samples are routinely
analyzed. However, when it is demonstrated that the testing
is under statistical control, the QC testing frequency may
be reduced. The QC sample precision should be checked
against the ASTM method precision to ensure data quality.
X1.5 It is recommended that, if possible, the type of
QC sample that is regularly tested be representative of the
material routinely analyzed. An ample supply of QC sam-
ple material should be available for the intended period
of use, and must be homogenous and stable under the
anticipated storage conditions. See Practice D 6299 and
MNL 7 for further guidance on QC and control charting
techniques.
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